The city of New London, Conn., moved heaven and earth and some very reluctant residents for a development project a few years ago.

Now, the company that inspired the proposed development, Pfizer, is moving out -- and nothing is left but barren land where homes once stood.

It's a fitting and sorrowful end to the infamous "Kelo" eminent domain case, in which homeowner Susette Kelo fought to keep her home. New London wanted to take her land and convert it to other private uses it thought would bring in more money in tax revenues.

It's a frightening concept -- that the government could seize your land against your will because someone else thinks he can make more money with it. Yet, in 2005 the U.S. Supreme Court shockingly voted 5-4 against Ms. Kelo -- and, essentially, in favor of allowing the government to forcibly take your land and provide it to another private entity that has more money and political clout.

The good news is that the horrible ruling changed the political landscape forever: Before the ruling, some eight states had laws against seizing private land for private developments; now, more than 40 states do.

Yet, the case ruined the landscape where Ms. Kelo's house once stood. Now, even the company that inspired the land grab is leaving it behind.

So it goes with ill-gotten gain.